Regulation of TMEM100 expression by epigenetic modification,effects on proliferation and invasion of esophageal squamous carcinoma

BACKGROUND Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)is a prevalent malignancy with a high morbidity and mortality rate.TMEM100 has been shown to be suppressor gene in a variety of tumors,but there are no reports on the role of TMEM100 in esophageal cancer(EC).AIM To investigate epigenetic regulation of TMEM100 expression in ESCC and the effect of TMEM100 on ESCC proliferation and invasion.METHODS Firstly,we found the expression of TMEM100 in EC through The Cancer Genome Atlas database.The correlation between TMEM100 gene expression and the survival of patients with EC was further confirmed through Kaplan-Meier analysis.We then added the demethylating agent 5-AZA to ESCC cell lines to explore the regulation of TMEM100 expression by epigenetic modification.To observe the effect of TMEM100 expression on tumor proliferation and invasion by overexpressing TMEM100.Finally,we performed gene set enrichment analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes Orthology-Based Annotation System database to look for pathways that might be affected by TMEM100 and verified the effect of TMEM100 expression on the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)pathway.RESULTS In the present study,by bioinformatic analysis we found that TMEM100 was lowly expressed in EC patients compared to normal subjects.Kaplan-meier survival analysis showed that low expression of TMEM100 was associated with poor prognosis in patients with EC.Then,we found that the demethylating agent 5-AZA resulted in increased expression of TMEM100 in ESCC cells[quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)and western blotting].Subsequently,we confirmed that overexpression of TMEM100 leads to its increased expression in ESCC cells(qRT-PCR and western blotting).Overexpression of TMEM100 also inhibited proliferation,invasion and migration of ESCC cells(cell counting kit-8 and clone formation assays).Next,by enrichment analysis,we found that the gene set was significantly enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway.The involvement of TMEM100 in the regulation of MAPK signaling pathway in ESCC cell was subsequently verified by western blotting.CONCLUSION TMEM100 is a suppressor gene in ESCC,and its low expression may lead to aberrant activation of the MAPK pathway.Promoter methylation may play a key role in regulating TMEM100 expression.

Comparative study of ROR2 and WNT5a expression in squamous/adenosquamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder

AIM To investigate the expression and clinical pathological significance of ROR2 and WNT5a in gallbladder squamous/adenosquamous carcinoma (SC/ASC) and adenocarcinoma (AC). METHODS EnVision immunohistochemistry was used to stain for ROR2 and WNT5a in 46 SC/ASC patients and 80 AC patients. RESULTS Poorly differentiated AC among AC patients aged >45 years were significantly more frequent compared with SC/ASC patients, while tumors with a maximal diameter >3 cm in the SC/ASC group were significantly more frequent compared with the AC group. Positive ROR2 and WNT5a expression was significantly lower in SC/ASC or AC with a maximal mass diameter = 3 cm, a TNM stage of I + II, no lymph node metastasis, no surrounding invasion, and radical resection than in patients with a maximal mass diameter >3 cm, TNM stage., lymph node metastasis, surrounding invasion, and no resection. Positive ROR2 expression in patients with highly differentiated SC/ASC was significantly lower than in patients with poorly differentiated SC/ASC. Positive ROR2 and WNT5a expression levels in highly differentiated AC were significantly lower than in poorly differentiated AC. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that differentiation degree, maximal mass diameter, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, surrounding invasion, surgical procedure and the ROR2 and WNT5a expression levels were closely related to average survival of SC/ASC or AC. The survival of SC/ASC or AC patients with positive expression of ROR2 and WNT5a was significantly shorter than that of patients with negative expression results. Cox multivariate analysis revealed that poor differentiation, a maximal diameter of the mass >= 3 cm, TNM stage. or., lymph node metastasis, surrounding invasion, unresected surgery and positive ROR2 or WNT5a expression in the SC/ASC or AC patients were negatively correlated with the postoperative survival rate and positively correlated with mortality, which are risk factors and independent prognostic predictors. CONCLUSION SC/ASC or AC patients with positive ROR2 or WNT5a expression generally have a poor prognosis.

Comparative Proteome Analysis of Human Lung Squamous Carcinoma Tissue

Objective： To establish the two-dimensional electrophoresis profiles with high resolution and reproducibility from human lung squamous carcinoma tissue and paired normal tumor-adjacent bronchial epithelial tissue, and to identify differential expression tumor-associated proteins by using proteome analysis. Methods： Comparative proteome analysis with 20 human lung squamous carcinoma tissues and the paired normal bronchial epithelial tissues adjacent to tumors was carried out. The total proteins of human lung squamous carcinoma tissue and paired normal tumor-adjacent bronchial epithelial tissue were separated by means of immobilized pH gradient-based two-dimensional gel electrophoresis （2-DE） and silver staining. The differential expression proteins were analyzed and then identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry （MALDI-TOF-MS）. Results： （1） Well-resolved, reproducible 2-DE patterns of human lung squamous carcinoma and adjacent normal bronchial epithelial tissues were obtained. For tumor tissue, average spots of 3 gels were 1567±46, and 1436±54 spots were matched with an average matching rate of 91.6%. For control, average spots of 3 gels were 1349±58, and 1228±35 spots were matched with an average matching rate of 91.03%. The average position deviation of matched spots was 0.924±0.128 mm in IEF direction, and 1.022±0.205 mm in SDS-PAGE direction; （2） A total of 1178±56 spots were matched between the eleetrophoretie maps of 20 human lung squamous carcinoma tissues and paired normal tumor-adjacent bronchial epithelial tissues. Seventy-six differentially expressed proteins were screened; （3） Sixty-eight differential proteins were identified by PMF, some proteins were the products of oneogenes, and others involved in the regulation of cell cycle and signal transduetion; （4） In order to validate the reliability of the identified results, the expression of 3 proteins mdm2, c-jun and EGFR, which was correlated with lung squamous carcinoma, was detected by immunohistoehemieal staining and Western blot analysis. The results revealed that mdm2, c-jun and EGFR were up-regulated in lung squamous carcinomas, whereas they were down-regulated in adjacent normal bronchial epithelial tissues, normal lung tissues and inflammatory pseudotumor, which was consistent with our proteome analysis results. Conclusion： The well-resolved, reproducible 2-DE patterns of human lung squamous carcinoma and adjacent normal bronchial epithelial tissues were established and 68 differential proteins were characterized by applying comparative proteome analysis successfully. These results will provide scientific foundation for screening the molecular biomarker used to diagnose and treat lung squamous carcinoma, as well as to improve the patient＇s prognosis and provide new clue for the research of lung squamous carcinogenic mechanism.

Esophageal early basaloid squamous carcinoma with unusual narrowband imaging magnified endoscopy findings

Basaloid squamous carcinoma (BSC) is a rare variant of esophageal cancer. There are very few reports of “early” BSC. Here we report a case of early BSC with unusual findings by narrowband imaging magnified endoscopy (NBI-ME). A 70-year-old man with a middle thoracic esophageal tumor was referred to our hospital. White-light endoscopy revealed a reddish depressed lesion 5 mm in diameter having a subepithelial tumor-like prominence with a gentle rising slope. NBI-ME revealed irregular loop-shaped microvessels coexistent with thick irregularly branched non-looped vessels. Iodine staining revealed a pale brown lesion. We performed endoscopic submucosal dissection for diagnostic treatment. Histologic examination showed the proliferation of basal cell-like hyperchromatic tumor cells in the lamina propria and with slight invasion into the submucosa at a depth of 320 μm. The tumor cells formed solid nests and microcystic structures, containing an Alcian blue-positive mucoid matrix. The surface was covered with squamous epithelium without cellular atypia. Thin vessels were observed in the intra-epithelial papilla and thick vessels were observed around the solid nests beneath the epithelium. Based on these findings together, we diagnosed the lesion as BSC. In this case, the NBI-ME findings differed from those of typical squamous cell carcinoma in that both non-invasive cancer-like irregular loop-shaped microvessels coexisted with massively invasive cancer-like thick non-looped vessels. We speculate that the looped and non-looped vessels observed by NBI-ME histologically corresponded to thin vessels in the intra-epithelial papilla and thick vessels around the tumor nests, respectively. These NBI-ME findings might be a feature of early esophageal BSC.

Protein Profile of Human Lung Squamous Carcinoma Cell Line NCI-H226

Objective To construct a database of human lung squamous carcinoma cell line NCI-H226 and to facilitate discovery of novel subtypes markers of lung cancer. Method Proteomic technique was used to analyze human lung squamous carcinoma cell line NCI-H226. The proteins of the NCI-H226 cells were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by mass spectrometry. Results The results showed that a good reproducibility of the 2-D gel pattern was attained. The position deviation of matched spots among three 2-D gels was 1.95±0.53 mm in the isoelectric focusing direction, and 1.73±0.45 mm in the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis direction. One hundred and twenty-seven proteins, including enzymes, signal transduction proteins, structure proteins, transport proteins, etc. were characterized, of which, 29 identified proteins in NCI-H226 cells were reported for the first time to be involved in lung cancer carcinogenesis. Conclusion The information obtained from this study could provide some valuable clues for further study on the carcinogenetic mechanism of different types of lung cancer, and may help us to discover some potential subtype-specific biomarkers of lung cancer.

Expression and role of AQP1 in cervical squamous carcinoma and its precancerous lesions

Objective： To investigate the expression of aquaporin 1 in cervical squamous carcinomas （CSC） and cervical precancerous lesions, and the relationship between the tumor clinicopathological parameters, prognosis and the expression of AQP1. Methods： Immunohistochemical method （EliVision） was used to detect the expression of AQP1 in samples from 106 patients [20 with normal cervical tissue, 30 with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia （stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ） and 56 with CSC]. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results： AQP1 protein was expressed in vascular endothelia of all samples. It showed upregulation of AQP1 expression in CSC. There was a significant difference between CSC and normal cervical tissues （P〈0.05）. AQP1 was expressed in some tumor cells and unexpressed in normal squamous epithelial cells. And APQl-expressing tumor cells were positively related to lymph node metastasis. Patients with APQl-expressing tumor cells had the lower survival rate than the ones without. Conclusion： Abnormal expression of AQP1 plays an important role in the development of CSC. Positive expression of AQP1 in tumor cells maybe enhances tumor metastasis and could be used as a marker for tumor prognosis.

Elevated expressions of Survivin and VEGF proteins are strong independent predictors of survival in squamous carcinoma of larynx

Objective： To study the relationship between Survivin and VEGF proteins in a subgroup of patients with squarnous carcinoma of larynx. Methods： 108 cases of squamous carcinoma of larynx with clinical data were collected and expressions of Survivin and VEGF in peripheral blood were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Results： Expressions of Survivin and VEGF were significantly associated with T stage, N stage and metastasis of squamous carcinoma of larynx. The patients with Survivin or VEGF over-expressions presented lower survival rate, respectively, as compared to those of low-expression （P 〈 0.05）. The survival rate in squamous carcinoma of larynx patients with Survivin and VEGF dual over-expressions was significantly lower than that of patients with dual low-expression （P 〈 0.05）. Multivariate analysis indicated that both Survivin and VEGF over-expressions in squamous carcinoma of larynx peripheral blood samples were strong independent factors of poor prognosis in squamous carcinoma of larynx patients. Conclusion： Survivin and VEGF over-expressions are independent prognostic factors for the patients with squamous carcinoma of larynx. These results also suggest that peripheral blood Survivin and VEGF expressions are valuable prognostic markers for prognosis prediction in squamous carcinoma of larynx patients.

Effect of Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 on Proliferation,Invasion and Migration of Tongue Squamous Carcinoma Cells and Its Mechanism

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the effect of interferon regulatory factor on the invasion and migration of tongue squamous carcinoma cells. [Methods]The expression level of IRF1 in tongue squamous carcinoma tissues was detected by real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. Plasmids for overexpression and knockdown of IRF1 were constructed. The effects of overexpression and knockdown of IRF1 on the proliferation, invasion and migration of Tca8113 cells were examined in Tca8113 cells. [Results] IRF1 expression was abnormally reduced in tongue squamous carcinoma tissues, and both real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry showed significantly lower expression than that of paraneoplastic controls. The overexpression and knockdown plasmids of IRF1 were successfully constructed. Growth curve assays showed that overexpression of IRF1 inhibited the proliferation of Tca8113 cells, while knockdown of IRF1 promoted the proliferation of Tca8113 cells. Scratch assay showed that overexpression of IRF1 inhibited the migration of Tca8113 cells, while knockdown of IRF1 promoted the migration of Tca8113 cells. Transwell assay showed that overexpression of IRF1 inhibited the invasion of Tca8113 cells, while knockdown of IRF1 promoted the invasion of Tca8113 cells. [Conclusions] In the development of tongue squamous carcinoma, IRF1 functions as an anti-oncogene, and the expression level of IRF1 was reduced in tongue squamous carcinoma tissues.

A Case Report of Thyroid Gland Squamous Carcinoma with Multiple Metastases

The patient was a female, 65 years to feel intermittent discomfort in old. Early in 1996, she began her neck, accompanied with hoarseness. In June, 2000, when she entered our hospital and accepted a physical examination, we found a 3 cm×2 cm tumor at the lower pole of the thyroid gland. Neck CT showed that the mass was located at the inferiorposterior right part of the thyroid gland with a diffuse boundary. MRI showed that the right thyroid cartilage wall was incomplete. Fine-needle aspiration cytology indicated a suspected papillary tumor.

Clinical Studies of Postoperative Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in Patients with Pathologic T_3 Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To evaluate how arterial infusion chemotherapy after radical surgery influences long-term surviva if patients with pathologic T3 （pT3） esophageal squamous carcinoma. METHODS We divided 190 patients with pathologic PT3 esophageal squamous carcinoma, confirmed by consecutive radical surgery, into an experimental group （surgery ＋ intra-arterial infusion, 56 T3N0M0 and 52 T3N1M0 cases）, and the remaining patients into a control group （surgery alone, 48 T3N0M0 and 34 T3N1M0 cases）. The experimental group was sub-grouped into 56 cases （26 T3N0M0 and 30 T3N1M0 cases） receiving 1 or 2 periods of chemotherapy, while 52 cases （30 T3N0M0 and 22 T3N0M0 cases） underwent 3 or more than 3 periods of chemotherapy. We used one to seven courses of selected arterial infusion chemotherapy of cisplatin （80 mg/m2 of body-surface area） and fluorouracil （800 mg/m2） with or without epirubicin at 3-4 weeks post operation. The interval between each period was 3-4 weeks. All cases were followed-up for more than 5 years. Survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier methods and survival differences between patients with and without selected arterial infusion chemotherapy were compared with the Log-rank test. Prognostic variables were entered into a Cox regression analysis model controlling for age, site, lymph node status, and treatment received. RESULTS The overall survival rates were not significantly different between the experimental group and the control group, but there was better survival for patients who received 3 or more than 3 courses of chemotherapy. Lymph node status （N） was an important factor in the prognosis. CONCLUSION Trans-catheter arterial infusion chemotherapy is a safe and effective method of therapy. Postoperative selective arterial infusion chemotherapy can improve the survival rate in patients with esophageal squamous carcinoma who were previously treated by radical surgery. However, this modality of therapy needs further investigation.

MORPHOLOGICAL SURVEY ON ENDOGENOUS C-TYPE VIRUSES INFECTING A HUMAN LUNG SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA PASSAGED IN NUDE MICE

A human lung squamous carcinoma was transplanted and passaged in Swiss-DF nude mice, called LSX-83, for more than five years in our laboratory. The morphological characteristics of the original tumor were maintained in passages from 4 to 33. But from the 35th generation, an increasing amount of tonofilaments and nuclear segregation with typical features was found with electron microscopy. The C-type virus particles were first detected in extra cellular space after 40 passages. The viruses were observed in different stages of growth, but their distribution and number did not show apparent change up to 54 passages. Such findings suggest that LSX-83 cells probably possess certain barrier of resistance against C-type viruses. The relation between C-type viruses and the morphological changes of LSX-83 cells was discussed.

Characteristics, management, and outcome of squamous carcinoma of the conjunctiva in a single tertiary cancer center in Jordan

AIM： To evaluate the features and outcome of management of malignant conjunctival squamous tumors in King Hussein Cancer Center（a referral tertiary cancer center in the Middle East）. METHODS： Retrospective case series of 31 eyes for 31 patients with conjunctival squamous neoplasia. Main outcome measures included： age, gender, laterality, tumor location, pathological features, tumor stage, treatment modality, and outcome. RESULTS： Twenty（65%） patients were males and median age was 58 y. Twenty-two（71%） eyes had the tumor in the nasal quadrant. Tumor invasion to nearby structures was seen in 19（61%） eyes, including the cornea, fornix, eyelid, and orbit in 17（55%）, 1（3%）, 2（6%）, and 3（10%） eyes, respectively. Eye salvage was achieved by surgical excision with cryotherapy followed by topical chemotherapy in 28（90%） eyes, and orbital exenteration was necessary in 3（10%） eyes due to orbital tumor invasion. Tumor recurrence was seen in 7（23%） eyes, and the significant predictive factors for recurrence were tumor extension onto the nearby structures（P=0.04）, tumor invasiveness（P=0.038）, and tumor TNM stage（P=0.031）. No significant change in visual acuity was seen, and disease related mortality was 6%（2 patients, both had orbital invasion by invasive squamous carcinoma）. CONCLUSION： Conjunctival squamous carcinoma is more common in males. Advanced American Joint Committee on Cancer（AJCC） T-stage, tumor local invasion, more pathologically aggressive tumors, and surgical treatment alone（without adjuvant therapy） are associated with higher risk for recurrence, and orbital invasion is the most important poor prognostic factor for metastasis and death. Treatment strategies should be affected by tumor characteristics at presentation.

Primary parenchymal squamous cell carcinoma of the kidney:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)of the renal parenchyma is extremely rare,with only nine cases reported.CASE SUMMARY This study reports a 51-year-old man with primary SCC of the renal parenchyma.The patient was admitted with recurrent dull pain and discomfort in the right lumbar region,which had worsened over 2 weeks,accompanied by painful gross hematuria.SCC antigen(SCCA)levels were elevated,and imaging revealed a renal mass with associated calculi.The patient underwent laparoscopic unilateral nephrectomy and lymph node dissection.Postoperative pathology confirmed highly differentiated SCC with necrosis in the right renal parenchyma,with negative renal pelvis and ureter.The pathological stage was Pt3aN1M0.Four months after surgery,the tumor recurred with involvement of the liver,right psoas major muscle,and inferior vena cava.The patient refused chemotherapy and succumbed to the disease 6 months postoperatively due to disease progression.CONCLUSION We report a case of primary SCC of the renal parenchyma,a rare renal malignancy.The clinical symptoms,laboratory tests,and imaging findings are nonspecific,making accurate and timely diagnosis challenging.According to the literature,for patients with renal calculi accompanied by a renal mass,elevated serum SCCA levels,and magnetic resonance imaging showing cystic or cystic-solid masses within the kidney with pseudocapsules and heterogeneous mild enhancement,the possibility of this disease should be considered.

Expression rates of p16,p53 in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma based on human-papillomavirus positivity

BACKGROUND The high prevalence of human papillomavirus(HPV)infection in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)is well established,and p16 expression is a strong predictor.HPV-related tumors exhibit unique mechanisms that target p16 and p53 proteins.However,research on HPV prevalence and the combined predictive value of p16 and p53 expression in head and neck cutaneous SCC(HNCSCC),particularly in Asian populations,remains limited.This retrospective study surveyed 62 patients with HNSCC(2011-2020),excluding those with facial warts or other skin cancer.AIM To explore the prevalence of HPV and the predictive value of p16 and p53 expression in HNCSCC in Asian populations.METHODS All patients underwent wide excision and biopsy.Immunohistochemical staining for HPV,p16,and p53 yielded positive and negative results.The relevance of each marker was investigated by categorizing the tumor locations into high-risk and middle-risk zones based on recurrence frequency.RESULTS Of the 62 patients,20(32.26%)were male,with an average age of 82.27 years(range 26-103 years).High-risk included 19 cases(30.65%),with the eyelid and lip being the most common sites(five cases,8.06%).Middle-risk included 43 cases(69.35%),with the cheek being the most common(29 cases,46.77%).The p16 expression was detected in 24 patients(38.71%),p53 expression in 42 patients(72.58%),and HPV in five patients(8.06%).No significant association was found between p16 expression and the presence of HPV(P>0.99),with a positive predictive value of 8.33%.CONCLUSION This study revealed that p16,a surrogate HPV marker in oropharyngeal SCC,is not reliable in HNCSCC,providing valuable insights for further research in Asian populations.

Activin A receptor type 1C single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma risk in Chinese population

BACKGROUND Transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)superfamily plays an important role in tumor progression and metastasis.Activin A receptor type 1C(ACVR1C)is a TGF-βtype I receptor that is involved in tumorigenesis through binding to dif-ferent ligands.AIM To evaluate the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)of ACVR1C and susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)in Chinese Han population.METHODS In this hospital-based cohort study,1043 ESCC patients and 1143 healthy controls were enrolled.Five SNPs(rs4664229,rs4556933,rs77886248,rs77263459,rs6734630)of ACVR1C were assessed by the ligation detection reaction method.Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test,genetic model analysis,stratified analysis,linkage disequi-librium test,and haplotype analysis were conducted.RESULTS Participants carrying ACVR1C rs4556933 GA mutant had significantly decreased risk of ESCC,and those with rs77886248 TA mutant were related with higher risk,especially in older male smokers.In the haplotype analysis,ACVR1C Trs4664229Ars4556933Trs77886248Crs77263459Ars6734630 increased risk of ESCC,while Trs4664229Grs4556933Trs77886248Crs77263459Ars6734630 was associated with lower susceptibility to ESCC.CONCLUSION ACVR1C rs4556933 and rs77886248 SNPs were associated with the susceptibility to ESCC,which could provide a potential target for early diagnosis and treatment of ESCC in Chinese Han population.

Immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and 13 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and their role in predicting lymph node metastasis

BACKGROUND One of the main characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)is that it metastasizes to cervical lymph nodes frequently with a high degree of local invasiveness.A primary feature of malignant tumors is their penetration of neighboring tissues,such as lymphatic and blood arteries,due to the tumor cells'capacity to break down the extracellular matrix(ECM).Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs)constitute a family of proteolytic enzymes that facilitate tissue remo-deling and the degradation of the ECM.MMP-9 and MMP-13 belong to the group of extracellular matrix degrading enzymes and their expression has been studied in OSCC because of their specific functions.MMP-13,a collagenase family member,is thought to play an essential role in the MMP activation cascade by breaking down the fibrillar collagens,whereas MMP-9 is thought to accelerate the growth of tumors.Elevated MMP-13 expression has been associated with tumor behavior and patient prognosis in a number of malignant cases.The authors wish to thank Jadhav KB for his valuable opinion during the preparation of the manuscript.

Latest insights into the global epidemiological features,screening,early diagnosis and prognosis prediction of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

As a highly invasive carcinoma,esophageal cancer(EC)was the eighth most prevalent malignancy and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide in 2020.Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)is the major histological subtype of EC,and its incidence and mortality rates are decreasing globally.Due to the lack of specific early symptoms,ESCC patients are usually diagnosed with advanced-stage disease with a poor prognosis,and the incidence and mortality rates are still high in many countries,especially in China.Therefore,enormous challenges still exist in the management of ESCC,and novel strategies are urgently needed to further decrease the incidence and mortality rates of ESCC.Although the key molecular mechanisms underlying ESCC pathogenesis have not been fully elucidated,certain promising biomarkers are being investigated to facilitate clinical decision-making.With the advent and advancement of highthroughput technologies,such as genomics,proteomics and metabolomics,valuable biomarkers with high sensitivity,specificity and stability could be identified for ESCC.Herein,we aimed to determine the epidemiological features of ESCC in different regions of the world,especially in China,and focused on novel molecular biomarkers associated with ESCC screening,early diagnosis and prognosis prediction.

MicroRNAs:A novel signature in the metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)is a malignant epithelial tumor,characterized by squamous cell differentiation,it is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.The increased mortality rate of ESCC patients is predominantly due to the advanced stage of the disease when discovered,coupled with higher risk of metastasis,which is an exceedingly malignant charac-teristic of cancer,frequently leading to a high mortality rate.Unfortunately,there is currently no specific and effective marker to predict and treat metastasis in ESCC.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules,approximately 22 nucleotides in length.miRNAs are vital in modulating gene expression and serve pivotal regulatory roles in the occurrence,progression,and prognosis of cancer.Here,we have examined the literature to highlight the intimate correlations between miRNAs and ESCC metastasis,and show that ESCC metastasis is predominantly regulated or regulated by genetic and epigenetic factors.This review proposes a potential role for miRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for metastasis in ESCC metastasis,with the ultimate aim of reducing the mortality rate among patients with ESCC.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor dynamics in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma:From immune modulation to therapeutic opportunities

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)is a substantial global health burden.Immune escape mechanisms are important in ESCC progression,enabling cancer cells to escape the surveillance of the host immune system.One key player in this process is the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor(AhR),which influences multiple cellular processes,including proliferation,differentiation,metabolism,and immune regulation.Dysregulated AhR signaling participates in ESCC development by stimulating carcinogenesis,epithelial-mesenchymal transition,and immune escape.Targeting AhR signaling is a potential therapeutic approach for ESCC,with AhR ligands showing efficacy in preclinical studies.Additionally,modification of AhR ligands and combination therapies present new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.This review aims to address the knowledge gap related to the role of AhR signaling in ESCC pathogenesis and immune escape.

The activation of adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase inhibits the migration of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells by targeting Claudin-1 via epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Background:The role of Claudin-1 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma(TSCC)metastasis needs further clarification,particularly its impact on cell migration.Herein,our study aims to investigate the role of Claudin-1 in TSCC cell migration and its underlying mechanisms.Methods:36 TSCC tissue samples underwent immunohistochemical staining for Claudin-1.Western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses were conducted to evaluate Claudin-1 expression and distribution in TSCC cells.Claudin-1 knockdown cell lines were established using short hairpin RNA transfection.Migration effects were assessed through wound healing assays.Furthermore,the expression of EMTassociated molecules was measured via western blotting.Results:Claudin-1 expression decreased as TSCC malignancy increased.Adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase(AMPK)activation led to increased Claudin-1 expression and membrane translocation,inhibiting TSCC cell migration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition(EMT).Conversely,Claudin-1 knockdown reversed these inhibitory effects on migration and EMT caused by AMPK activation.Conclusions:Our results indicated that AMPK activation suppresses TSCC cell migration by targeting Claudin-1 and EMT pathways.